By Nikki Lee Taylor
OUTscene Special
The feature length documentary tells the compelling story of Candy Darling; Warhol Star and underground icon of the sixties. What could have been a stereotypical view of a queen who longs to be like the stars she worships is instead an objective and realistic portrait of who Candy Darling really was. Beginning from her early childhood as Jimmy Slattery, a boy from suburban Long Island who dreams of becoming a star to being accepted and inspired by Tennessee Williams, Lou Reed, Richard Avedon and of course Andy Warhol. She recreated scenes from the movies of Kim Novak and Marilyn Monroe until they became a part of Candy Darling’s personality; seeming to be an act but actually a very real expression of who she was.
Through archival footage including rare behind-the-scenes looks at Andy Warhol and his factory, we see iconic figures that Candy attracted. Jane Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Tennessee Williams, Warhol and Janis Joplin are shown hanging out with Candy in New York’s now defunct eclectic club Max’s Kansas City.
The feature length documentary tells the compelling story of Candy Darling; Warhol Star and underground icon of the sixties. What could have been a stereotypical view of a queen who longs to be like the stars she worships is instead an objective and realistic portrait of who Candy Darling really was. Beginning from her early childhood as Jimmy Slattery, a boy from suburban Long Island who dreams of becoming a star to being accepted and inspired by Tennessee Williams, Lou Reed, Richard Avedon and of course Andy Warhol. She recreated scenes from the movies of Kim Novak and Marilyn Monroe until they became a part of Candy Darling’s personality; seeming to be an act but actually a very real expression of who she was.
Through archival footage including rare behind-the-scenes looks at Andy Warhol and his factory, we see iconic figures that Candy attracted. Jane Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Tennessee Williams, Warhol and Janis Joplin are shown hanging out with Candy in New York’s now defunct eclectic club Max’s Kansas City.
The star of the movie is Candy Darling and there is no shortage of footage, of the enigmatic personality.
Produced by Jeremiah Newton, the person who knew her best, we get to know the person underneath the creation that was Candy Darling.
From her diary entries, drawings and her mothers words we see the beginnings of a young boy who strives for a seemingly impossible dream to the transformation to achieve it. Reinventing herself as a blonde ethereal personality not unlike Monroe, Candy’s dreams were beginning to be realized. She became a star of Warhol’s films, Lou Reed wrote “ Walk on the wild side “ about her and Tennessee Williams re-created his play “ Small Craft Warnings “ to give her a starring role. New interviews with John Waters, writer Fran Lebowitz, Jeremiah Newton, Warhol stars Holly Woodlawn and Taylor Mead lend insights as to who Candy was. We see the irony that was Candy Darling; a self invented personality created from her idols and yet someone who yearned to be loved for herself. Featuring the voice of Academy Award Nominee Chloe` Sevigny and music by David Bowie, Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, Etta James and the Velvet Underground . The film explores the artificial personality who was Candy Darling and the genuine person underneath.
Beautiful Darling: The life and times of Candy Darling just opened in Limited Release.
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